Elijah WilliamsOn November 5, during its seventh test flight, the experimental aircraft soared to new heights, reaching a record-breaking speed of Mach 0.82, equivalent to 1,012 kilometers (629 miles) per hour.
Since its maiden flight in March 2024, the XB-1 has been steadily pushing its limits, striving to reach the speed of sound (Mach 1), a staggering 1,234 kilometers (767 miles) per hour. While it hasn’t quite hit that mark yet, its series of successful flights indicate that it’s well on its way to achieving this goal.
“XB-1, Boom’s supersonic demonstrator aircraft, is steadily advancing towards Mach 1,” announced Boom Supersonic in a statement following the seventh test flight.
“The seventh flight was primarily focused on expanding the flutter envelope and testing cockpit pressure to ensure safe performance and handling as XB-1 approaches supersonic speeds and higher altitudes,” added the aerospace company.
The latest test flight was helmed by Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, an alumnus of the United States Naval Test Pilot School. Not only did he shatter the plane’s speed record, but he also set a new altitude record, soaring to 7,014 meters (23,015 feet).
The XB-1 program is paving the way for the design and development of Overture, Boom’s proposed supersonic airliner, which they hope to transform into a commercial operation.
While the Overture aircraft is still in its infancy, the company envisions it as a more eco-friendly successor to the Concorde, the supersonic passenger-carrying commercial airplane that could cruise at Mach 2.
The Concorde, which transported paying passengers from 1976 to 2003, ultimately failed due to the rising costs of supersonic travel and dwindling demand for seats. The fatal Air France Flight 4590 crash in 2000, which claimed 113 lives, was another significant blow. The Concorde was also notorious for its high fossil fuel consumption and pollution levels, issues that Boom Supersonic is determined to address.
“I’ve been eagerly awaiting an environmentally friendly successor to the Concorde for over 20 years, and the first flight of the XB-1 is a significant milestone towards realizing my dream. When I last piloted the Concorde in 2003, I knew this day would come. The XB-1 supersonic demonstrator’s maiden flight is a major step towards making sustainable supersonic flight a reality, with Overture as my top pick to succeed the Concorde,” said Captain Mike Bannister, former Chief Concorde Pilot for British Airways.
But the XB-1 isn’t the only groundbreaking supersonic plane being developed in the US. NASA is also quietly working on the X-59, an experimental aircraft designed to exceed the speed of sound without creating a sonic boom – a challenge that’s easier said than done.
